Luck?! P’shaw.

Booking Commercials – What are they looking at?

The 4 Factors of Booking Commercials

By Carolyne Barry
Feb. 11, 2014
From Backstage

“You get a commercial callback, and 10-25 actors are up for the same role as you. You either do a great job and don’t get booked, or you do a “so-so” job and you get the commercial. Rather confusing, right? You have to ask yourself what is going on in the minds of those making the decisions. How are they judging the actors and their auditions? Who gets booked—is it luck? Wonder what the factors are that lead to that casting choice?

Based on all my experience as an actor, casting director, and teacher, I do believe there is a casting formula utilized when booking actors for commercials. It is only my educated opinion, but I really believe that this is the formula and value percentages.

It’s 30 percent what you look like. Since there is some agreement between the ad execs and the director on the aspirational and/or inspirational looks of those being called back, your physicality is still important, but now since it is still subjective, it is about 30 percent. What’s also relevant in the looks area—especially at the callback—is when it is necessary to match actors with spouses, friends, colleagues, or family—do you look like you belong together. And often in commercials featuring several actors, it is important to have a variety of physical and ethnic types, as well as different ages of people.

Then, 40 percent is talent and creativity. What you do in your audition, how you take direction, your creativity, and talent now become the prominent factor.

About 20 percent is your attitude, personality, and essence. Those behind the table at callbacks are watching everything you do from when you walk in the room until you walk out. How you take direction, what questions you might ask, and how you relate to the director and others actors you might be auditioning with. Those decision makers are checking to see if your personality and essence is right for the role, and if there are any reasons why you would be difficult to work with.

The last 10 percent is wildcard factors. These could be anything from your wardrobe (which one of the decision-makers really likes for the spot) to any of the execs or director having subjective preferences or dislikes. I’ve heard so many wildcard reasons, i.e. one of the clients, not choosing an actress that everyone else wanted because she reminded him of his ex-wife. It could be the smallest thing like shaking hands with the director whose hands are sweaty which makes the director uncomfortable. There are too many subjective wildcard factors to cover here, but I am sure you can imagine others.

These considerations are just parts of the casting equation and are all considered. Know that if you are a great physical type for a particular spot and do a great audition, but come off arrogant or too silly then you probably won’t get the job. Also, if you have a really great personality and essence and are the perfect type, but don’t do a good job with the material or scenario then again, you probably will not get booked.

This information should help you to not take it personally or think you did a bad job when you don’t get a booking, and it should help you have the insight you need to put the odds in your favor for booking commercials. And by the way a lot of this is also applicable for booking smaller roles in film and television

For more information about commercial callbacks watch part 1 and part 2 of Commercial Audition Callbacks that feature four top L.A. casting directors.

Carolyne, a casting director, working actress, and director, is considered by agents, casting directors and students, the best Commercial Audition Acting Coach in Los Angeles. Since 1982, the Carolyne Barry Workshops have been one of the most successful, full training Acting Schools. Ms. Barry and her coaching staff have trained thousands of professional actors. The comprehensive acting, commercial, hosting, and musical theatre workshops and the teachers offered in her programs have often been voted the BEST by the Backstage readers. Follow Carolyne on Facebook and Twitter.

www.carolynebarry.com
www.mastertalentteachers.com“

Commercial Residuals, Usage Extensions, Etc

When you work union on a commercial there should be a standard amount of time that it can run written into your contract, plus what markets and channels it airs on, etc. After that time runs out they pay you if it is still playing, playing on other networks, etc. How can you track this on your own… you can’t watch every network all the time to know if your commercial is still airing. I found this website http://www.ispot.tv. It tells you the last time a commercial aired, what network and during what show! It may not answer all your questions and may not have every commercial but at least it tells you if it is playing still. At least enough information that you can call your agent and ask them to check into it. The internet is full of such useful tools. 

PS. side bit of propaganda… SAG-AFTRA actors… the commercial contract vote is coming up… you should have received info in the mail this week… do not forget to vote!!!